American Singer History

The breed known as the American Singer Canary was developed in the 1930’s. Canary enthusiasts seeking a good songster with a calm personality searched for breeds that might be crossed to produce a bird with both qualities. The German Roller was chosen for its singing abilities while the Border Canary was selected due to its good nature and suitability as a pet. Cross-breeding Rollers with Borders produced the American Singer Canary, which has become one of the most popular of all breeds.

Older breeds noted for their songs, including Timbrados, Rollers and Waterslagers, are judged according to strict standards (specific notes must be produced, etc.). However, American Singer Canaries are noted for producing unique songs – variety and “freedom” are valued above all else. Judges apply set criteria, but not in the same manner as with other breeds.

Judging Song Quality

American Singer Canaries are judged on a 100 point basis, with 70 points being allotted to the actual song, and 30 applied towards the bird’s appearance and condition. Talent is definitely valued over “surface beauty”!

Canary songs are evaluated over a 20 minute period, which is divided into two 10 minute segments. In the first, or “Freedom” segment, the Canary is awarded 1 point (to a maximum of 10) for each complete song produced. Song quality is not considered, although I imagine an impression is being formed in the judges’ minds at this time.

In the second 10 minute period, known as the “Rendition” segment, the judge evaluates the songs based on specific but somewhat subjective criteria. Sixty points are at stake. The following factors are considered:

Volume

Variety – how the various tunes and notes are spread about

Tone – pitch, strength; how the song “sounds” to the ear

Melodiousness – how the various notes and song bits flow into one another

Showmanship – how the bird “conducts himself” during the song; an upright posture and a bold, “proud” demeanor is valued

Evaluating Physical Appearance

The 20 minute song evaluation accounts for 70 points.  The remaining 30 possible points are awarded based upon physical attributes.  “Condition” (10 points) refers to the canary’s grooming (nail length, feather condition), activity level or vigor and overall health.  The cleanliness and set-up of the cage (there are specific rules as to perch placement, etc.) are also considered.

The “Conformation” evaluation (20 points) accesses how well the Canary meets the physical standards that have been established for plumage, size, body and head shape and other such characteristics; color is not considered.

The Ideal Canary

If you enjoy Canary songs, I suggest that you stop in at a competition and perhaps consider becoming involved.  Due to the flexible standards that have been established, it is easiest to begin competing American Singers.  As a bonus, American Singer Canaries are available in a wide variety of colors and make very trusting pets…and even the “least gifted” usually sing beautifully!

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Video: Song of an American Singer Canary

National Organization for the American Singer Canary

Border Canary Information

Canary image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by 4028mdk09
Canary in a cage image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Freegiampi

Post from: That Bird Blog


Canary Shows – Rating the Songs of American Singer Canaries

The Basics

Training Canaries takes a great deal of patience.  Despite centuries of captive-breeding, they retain typical finch wariness, and are not as well-suited to training as are many parrots.  However, in working with them you will develop skills that will be very useful in your future dealings with birds of all types.  Hand-raised Canaries are another matter –they will readily bond to their owners, to the point of “courting” them during the breeding season!

A key point to bear in mind is that Canaries do not respond to punishment…slow, deliberate movements and rewards are absolute essentials.  Training sessions of 15-30 minutes in length are ideal; anything longer will usually be stressful and unproductive.

Memories of a Talented Canary

I recall very clearly a female Canary that was kept behind-the-scenes in one of the bird exhibit buildings when I was a keeper at the Bronx Zoo.  You’d never guess that the bird’s owner had not hand-reared her, for her repertoire of tricks and trusting nature were truly amazing.  This Canary’s wings were not clipped, but she was extraordinarily tame…in most cases, it will be easier to work with a clipped bird. 

The first trick my coworker’s bird learned was to obtain food by removing the plug from a glass test tube via pulling on a string.  This trick was chosen as the first because it was very direct – the Canary could see the food within the tube.  My coworker believed that allowing the bird to watch him pulling the string had hastened the learning process.  I can’t say if this is so or not, but the next trick seems to confirm that the bird did indeed learn by observation.

The next trick was to teach the Canary to choose the correct container from a group of three.  The treat-bearing container had a white top while the others had black tops, and the food was not visible within.  After watching the container being filled with food, the Canary immediately went to over and pulled the string securing the proper cover.  In time, the bird unerringly pulled the correct string when presented with containers filled outside of her presence.

Keeping Canaries

Healthy, well-kept Canaries make the most responsive pets.  Although they often adjust to small quarters, Canaries are really most at ease in spacious flight cages.  Be sure also to provide a healthful diet comprised of a high quality Canary Seed Mix, Egg Food, Fresh Sprouts and fruit.

Further Reading

For more tips on hand-taming Canaries and other finches, please see Taming Canaries and Other Finches.

You can also help to improve your Canary’s song – please see Teaching Your Canary to Sing for details.

An amusing video of a Canary that crosses the line from “tame” to “bold” (He’s named “Psycho Pete!) is posted here.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Post from: That Bird Blog


More Than Just a Pretty Song – Taming and Training Your Canary

The First “Type” Canaries

Different Canary varieties (termed “types”) first developed quite by accident.  Canaries arrived in Europe in 1478, when they were taken to Spain from their native habitat on several islands off Northwest Africa.  As the Spanish sold only males and travel was difficult, Canary owners usually bred related birds to one another.  This increased the likelihood of mutations, including the yellow coloring that is now considered to be the Canary’s “normal” color (wild Canaries are actually greenish-brown). 

Selective Breeding

Widespread selective breeding for specific plumage, posture, song quality and even behavior took hold in Italy in the early 1600’s, and soon many regions were creating unique Canaries.  The first guide to Canary types, published in 1709, listed 29 distinct varieties. 

Today there are hundreds, and the places where they originated, i.e. Paris, Gloster or Makige, are often included in the type name.

Lizard Fancy

One of the earliest types known, the Lizard Fancy was developed in France in the early 1700’s.  Rounded markings on the back, said to resemble a lizard’s scales, lend this bird its name.

Norwich Fancy

A susceptibility to feather cysts nearly caused this type to disappear, but the problem was eliminated by crossing Norwich Fancies with Border Fancies.  Cayenne pepper, fed to this type as a tonic, caused red to appear in the feathers, and ushered in the concept of “color-feeding”.

Gloster Fancy

Glosters, available in crested and un-crested forms, exhibit unique behavioral traits, and are considered much easier to train than other Canaries.

Italian Giant Frill

At 10 inches in length, the Italian Giant is the largest of all Canaries.  It displays the wild, “disordered” plumage typical of most frills.

Gibber Italicus

This type is, unfortunately, facing some problems…inbreeding has left many individuals with un-feathered breasts and upper legs.

Colored Canaries

Colored Canaries (outside of yellow mutations) arose when it was discovered that certain foods brought out a reddish tint in the feathers.  Color-breeding really came into its own when Red Siskins (Carduelis cucullata) – gorgeously colored birds native to Venezuela and Columbia – were crossed with Canaries (please see photo).

Color types are among the most popular Canaries.  “Intensive” red and yellow individuals are startlingly bright, while silvers and rose-browns exhibit a more subtle beauty. 

Song Types

German breeders were the first to focus on song quality.  The types most popular in Europe today – Hartz and Timbrado, originated there.  Roller Canaries are the best known singers in the rest of the world.

Judges at shows analyze “rolls”, “tours” and a variety of other song characteristics in making their decisions.  Singing Canaries are held in darkened cages until just before their “performances”, and owners use a variety of sounds in order to encourage them to sing.

Well, there’s a great many other types, and room for more – developing a new one may be in your own future!  Please let me know of your Canary-breeding efforts and questions.  Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.

Further Reading

Please see The Odd History of the Canary for more on the Canary’s unique story.

Please check out this video for a sample of some fine Canary singing.

Canary image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Jorg Hempel
Canary at night image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by L.E. Macdonald

Post from: That Bird Blog


Canary Types – an Amazing Array of Color, Size, Shape, Plumage and Song

Effect of Imperfect Song Tutors

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Ornithology exposed young male canaries to adult males that sang imperfect songs. The young males mimicked these songs to some extent, but by adulthood were singing near-perfect songs. This indicates that canaries likely have an internal “song template” that helps to correct deviations in the songs of their role models. The template seems to be activated when the youngsters hear an adult song, even if that song is imperfect.

Effect of Isolation

Canaries raised in complete isolation from adults do try to sing, but the sounds they produce bear little resemblance to a normal male’s song. Usually, birds do not modify their songs after reaching adulthood – what they learn as juveniles remains their song for life. However, when the canaries raised in isolation were exposed to a normal canary songs, they modified their own songs, despite having reached adulthood. In time, their songs improved greatly. So, unlike most birds, canaries remain able to change and improve their songs even after reaching maturity.

Human Language Development

Children raised in isolation have great difficulty in acquiring language skills later in life. It is hoped that the canary research will help us to understand human speech problems.

The Canary Song CD

As canaries seem able to learn throughout life, it’s never too late to try helping your pet to improve. A Feathered Phonics Canary Song CD may do the trick.

Further Reading

Please see my article Teaching Your Canary to Sing for tips on improving your pet’s singing abilities.

Most people are not aware of the dramatic story behind the canary’s entry into the pet trade. Please check out Shipwrecks, Vicious Dogs and Escaped Birds for details.

Please write in with your questions and comments.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by LC-de

Post from: That Bird Blog


Canaries Are Endowed With Unique Song-Learning Abilities